Walking back to happiness – time to take New Year resolutions at your own pace

LOOKING to shed those Christmas pounds but don’t fancy going the gym?

Then now could be the time to make those New Year resolutions of getting fitter or losing weight in a way that you have always enjoyed – playing football at a pace that you can manage against an opposition in the same position as you...or to give it its proper name, ‘Walking Football’.

Halton Borough Council’s sport development team started Walking Football with their community coach late in 2013 with free taster sessions at Kingsway Leisure Centre following a few requests from some who had noted the activity on a TV advert.

It started off with just a handful of men, and eventually grew in numbers and volunteers with a passion to ensure it continued.

In 2015, a core group formed a committee with a club membership of 17 and Widnes Walking Football Club expanded from a one-hour session to a two-hour session to accommodate their now 46 members.

Already at bursting point by 2017, the club were unable to take on new members and had a waiting list. With demand for further places at Walking Football, sports development have supported another session to get started every Monday from 10.30am-11.30am at Kingsway Leisure Centre.

The Widnes Club have travelled far and wide signing up for competitions. They got to the semi-finals at the FA Peoples Cup in Manchester and some of the over-65s have played in numerous competitions, reaching the finals. The biggest adventure will be in May when a team plan to travel to Benidorm for an over-65s competition.

Like most sports, Walking Football is reliant on volunteers, and with the time and effort of a handful of people and committee members Widnes Walking Football Club has grown from strength to strength.

Walking Football is open to males and females aged over 50 and has many players over 70. If you think the game is for you, it’s a great way to keep fit, enjoy the game you love, improve health and meet new people. ● For further enquiries contact Halton sports development’s Paula Parle on 0151-511 8550.